T Shirt Printing Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Our guide to the basics
Designing and printing your own t shirt has never been more popular. From global fashion houses to local gyms, food trucks, breweries, and online stores, custom t shirt printing is one of the most effective ways to build a brand, create revenue, and express identity.
Virgil Abloh famously said: “To me, graphic T-shirts are the most important and most expressive format for a designer or a person,” That idea still holds true across the entire t shirt printing industry today. Whether you want personalised t shirts for your business or to create your own t shirt for an event, this t shirt printing guide walks you through everything you need to know.
Custom T Shirt Printing: Getting the Basics Right
Before you print t shirts, it’s essential to define three things:
- Your design and brand identity
- Your fabric and garment choice
- The right t-shirt printing method
Choosing the right technique depends on design complexity, colours, fabric, budget, order size, and desired print quality. A bold logo on cotton t shirts requires a different process than complex designs with detailed prints or all over prints.
T Shirt Printing Methods Explained
There are many shirt printing methods available today. Below is a breakdown of the most common and cost effective printing techniques used by leading brands.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is the most popular t shirt printing method for bold, durable designs. It works by pushing screen printing ink through a mesh screen onto the fabric, layering colours one at a time.
Best for:
- Bold, simple graphics and logos
- Cotton and cotton blend garments
- Long lasting designs with great quality
Screen printing offers the most durable prints because the ink sits deep in the fabric. One of the most commonly used inks in screen printing is plastisol ink, which typically uses spot colours. If your design requires full colour detail or a softer, more natural finish, an alternative method like water based inks may be more suitable. It offers great value for large volume orders and is ideal for corporate branding and merchandise. For more information, check out our guide to screen printing.
Direct to Garment (DTG Printing)
DTG printing works like a giant inkjet printer, spraying ink direct to garment as the name suggests. Direct to garment printing is ideal for smaller batches and more complex designs with lots of colour and detail.
Best for:
- Detailed full colour prints and photographic images
- Cost effective on low volume runs (up to 100)
- Cotton t shirts and pure cotton fabrics
DTG t shirt printing has faster turnaround times and low set up costs, making it perfect for when quickly in need of custom cotton shirts with detailed prints.
DTF Printing (Direct to Film)
In DTF printing, designs are heat transferred from a special film onto the shirt. The result of the high temperatures used are bright, bold prints that work across most fabrics.
Best for:
- Vibrant colours, such as multicolour logos and details (such as names and numbers on sports and teamwear)
- Multi-logo jobs, same print on different garments
DTF sits between DTG and screen printing in terms of flexibility and durability. As DTF is much more forgiving on fabric types than some other print methods, it is a smart choice for teams, events, merch drops and branded workwear.
Embroidery
Embroidery stitches designs directly into the garment using coloured thread. It offers a premium, textured look and is extremely durable.
Best for:
- Corporate wear
- Logos and text
- Polos, hoodies, and heavy garments
Embroidery is popular for businesses looking for a high-end finish rather than detailed, all over print t shirts.
Choosing the Right Fabric for T Shirt Printing
Fabric choice directly impacts print quality, durability, and comfort.
Cotton T Shirts
Cotton is soft, breathable, and durable, making it the most popular choice for custom t shirt printing. Organic cotton is an eco friendly and vegan friendly alternative grown without harmful chemicals.
Polyester
Polyester is lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and ideal for dye sublimation printing. However, it may raise environmental concerns due to microplastic pollution.
Cotton-Poly Blends
Blended fabrics combine comfort with durability and work well with DTG and screen printing techniques.
For more detailed pros and cons, check out our blog post on cotton vs. poly-cotton polo shirts.
Design Files & High Quality Prints
To achieve high quality prints, your design files matter.
- Use at least 300 DPI to avoid blurry prints
- Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) are used for screen printing and embroidery
- Raster files (PNG, JPEG, TIFF) can be used for DTG printing
As file formats in custom t shirt printing can be tricky, we have gathered some more tips here. However, if in doubt, our experts are always able to recommend the right method based on your artwork, garment type and volume needed.
Order Minimums, Small Batches & Bulk Orders
- Screen printing is cheaper per unit for large orders
- DTG is more cost effective for smaller batches of tees compared to other methods
- Ordering larger quantities reduces cost per shirt
Bulk orders are ideal for businesses, events, and corporate branding, while smaller batches are perfect for testing designs.
Sustainability & Eco Friendly Printing in Custom Products
Sustainability is increasingly important to customers and brands around the globe. Using organic cotton products, water based inks, and ethical production processes not only helps reduce environmental impact but also aligns with the values of conscious individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best printing method for t shirts?
It depends on your design, fabric, and quantity. Screen printing is better for durability, whereas DTG for detailed prints.
What do I need for t shirt printing?
Send us your design, the type of garment or accessory you want and the volume you need – we will handle the rest. If you need some inspiration or help in creating a logo, check out our blog post.
Which is better, DTF or DTG?
DTG is better for cotton and detailed designs, while DTF works on most fabrics and offers bold colours.
How long do DTG prints last?
With proper care, DTG prints can last many washes. For example, washing your DTG printed t shirts inside out in cold water extends their lifespan. However, if durability is your main concern, choosing another printing technique may be warranted.
Create Your Own Custom T Shirts with ICON Printing
ICON offers fast turnaround shirt printing, a huge selection of garments, and expert guidance on choosing the right technique. From small batches to large orders, we help businesses and creators achieve durable designs and great quality results.
Contact us to start creating your own custom t shirts and bring your vision to life.